Incoming Apocalypse

Discovery

I was 13 when the apocalypse started. When this cataclysm of things attacked. Two years later and I'm still here in this insane scenario. My parents died protecting my brother and I in the beginning when we barely knew what was going on. Now it's just my brother, dog, and I. Hecktor has fallen into depression and Trixie eats any scraps on the road. I never really learned how to drive but I had to. I taught myself because my 9 year old brother is not capable of driving us at all.

 He has really grown up throughout the years and acts way more mature than he is expected for his age. We went from town to town, lost children in a big world. On the way to Wyoming, we saw hitchhikers on the road. We knew better than to stop and help them. Then we saw that one of them was pregnant and they seemed harmless. 

Hecktor and I exchanged glances as I slowed down. Hecktor nervously said, "Tallulah, are you sure that we should stop for them? What if they have people waiting to hurt us or they are going to hurt us? I don't think we should!" He was always a worry-wally and I both admired and hated him for it. "Hecktor calm down. If they are who you think they are, they would enjoy hurting us if we were scared of them.When we stop to get a look at them, put on your best brave face. I don't think they would do anything. Do you think the pregnant one is capable or even wants to hurt us?"I whispered. 

He shut up and sat there with me as we pulled over for the strange pair. The man spoke up first, "My wife and I are starving and in need of direction. We ran into a gang that we barely escaped and they took everything we have. You're our last hope, we have no where to go and in need of supplies. We are forever in your debt if you help us! We just need some things and we can be on our way. My name is Tapp and this is Vibby. We're at rock bottom and having a baby. Please help us."

They seemed a bit sketchy but, I would take my chances. I spoke up since my brother would never in a thousand years. "I'm Tallulah and this is my brother, Hecktor. The dog in the back is Trixie. We were on our way to Wyoming and don't need a reason to stop. Where were you heading and why? You could come with us if you give me a reason not to shoot you." I was putting on a tough guy act so they would be intimidated.

 "We are going anywhere but here! I'm going to give birth in about 2 months. We need to be somewhere safe by the time that happens, do you really think that Wyoming is the best bet?" Vibby asked. "Yeah, we were heading east. Listen, if you try anything we will not hesitate to kill you. Hop in the back with Trixie. We're on a tight schedule so we don't have time for this. We will be there in no time if there isn't any trouble along the way." I replied.

They didn't ask any questions and immediately hopped into the car. I was a bit annoyed that we had to pick up more people to watch but maybe they would grow on me. Off into the distance I could see the beginning of a horde. I sped off as our new guests held each other and dozed into a deep sleep. I couldn't imagine what they had been through at all. I saw only knives on them while we had heavy guns. Guns draw more of them so that wasn't all we had either. I bet Hecktor and I put some fear into their eyes but with our age they didn't really care if we were dangerous. We were just kids to them, after all.

Still in Colorado when they woke up, I looked back and saw them still holding each other and whispering sweet nothings. They made me want to puke and choke on it. I decided I couldn't leave them in silence and I  couldn't take their PDA much longer. "Hey, we'll be there in about an hour. Do you guys need anything or?" I awkwardly stated. I wasn't much good at making first impressions but I also didn't want to be as cold as Hecktor was being.

 "Yeah, what's your story? I'm interested in how you got to where you are.  How do you know each other? You seem like siblings but I won't rush to conclusions. Sorry, I guess I'm just not used to hospitality from strangers." Vibby replied. "Um, well my parents died, so it's just my brother and I. We don't really have a special story, we're just here, going to Wyoming." I said, half-truthed. My parents had only wished for us to flee to Wyoming for some reason. I was only fulfilling their wish.

 "Oh, you poor dears! My husband and I met through the apocalypse. I had just finished college and then all my friends were turning into those ugly little things. I fled to New Mexico as I wasn't that far from it and thought that maybe it wasn't affected. Obviously, I was wrong. Tapp was with a group of people at the time and offered to let me join. Having nowhere to go, of course I took the offer and joined his group. Tapp and I started talking and became friends, and then lovers, and then we wed. By "wed" I mean he gave me a ring and we said we were married.  We left the group after we found out I was pregnant. We didn't want to be a burden to them but they also didn't want us to leave. Before we left, Tapp acquired some strange markings and looked like he had been through hell and back. He said he was fine but I guess the news of a baby got to him.  Eventually the group agreed, realizing the downsides of a baby in this world. We left to Colorado to get away from them. We couldn't find a safe spot and we ran into a gang. They called themselves the Renegades and took us hostage to their camp. Every. Single. God forbidden night, they would try to come on to me but I had Tapp. They beat him in front of me but left me alone otherwise. One night they left us all alone, unguarded because of the booze they drank that made them pass out everywhere. They were such idiots that I'm surprised they lived that long. We made a run for it so our baby might have a chance out there, here. We ran out of resources and knew if we stayed, we might not survive. We figured some kind stranger would take pity on us since I was pregnant. It's a pitiful story, I know but that's my life. It's pretty terrible but if you poor things got through it this long, I know we can!" Vibby exclaimed.

She could really talk.

 I was so into her story I didn't see the oncoming horde. Tapp shouted at me as everything went into slow motion. His face forever frozen in horror as the horde approached. We zoomed towards it and I was almost helpless to do anything. Hecktor clutched my arm and squealed as we were heading to doom. Trixie barked and tried to warn me at the obvious threat ahead. This was my fault. I was the one responsible if we died and came back as them. The blame is all on me. I cried as we were ambushing the horde.